Flash fire burns two men

By Jim Haley

Herald Writer

MARYSVILLE — Two installers were injured, one critically, when a fire flashed through a small home here Monday.

The father-and-son team was working to install a laminated wall covering in the bathroom of a home in the 14100 block of 51st Avenue NE when the fire erupted, Marysville fire officials said.

The men were identified as Jesse King, 47, and Jacob King, 20, of Marysville.

Jesse King was burned over 90 percent of his body and is in critical condition, a spokeswoman for Harborview Medical Center in Seattle said. Jacob King was in satisfactory condition with burns over 10 percent of his body.

Snohomish County fire marshal investigators were at the scene Monday attempting to determine the cause.

Investigator Gary Bontrager said the men had been working in the bathroom. They rolled out the covering on the kitchen floor and were applying cementing material.

The location was near a gas water heater that Bontrager said apparently had not been turned off. He believes the heater’s pilot light ignited the vapors.

The occupants of the home were identified as Dan and Julie McCants. The family lost all clothing and other possessions, including Christmas presents for their two children, ages 13 and 6.

The McCants didn’t have renters’ insurance, homeowner Sherry Hinds said.

Dan McCants, who has been injured and out of work for six months, was at home at the time of the fire. He escaped by leaping through a window, Bontrager said.

He estimated $100,000 damage to the home itself and $30,000 to its contents.

Marysville fire Lt. David VanBeek said flames were leaping out of the back part of the home when firefighters arrived. Several Marysville fire units and help from Arlington arrived to put out the fire and attend to the injured workers.

Two helicopters were summoned to airlift the burned men to Harborview. They landed in the parking lot of a nearby church on 51st Avenue NE.

The burned men worked for Unique Interiors of Arlington, where employees were stunned by the news. Jesse King had worked for the company about 13 years, a company spokeswoman said, and was regarded as an expert installer.

The company’s owner, Dave Rohde, spent the day with members of the King family, she said.

Hinds said she has established a fund at any Snohomish County PUD Credit Union branch to help the occupants. Donations can be made to the Dan and Julie McCants Fund, she said.

A fund has been established to help a family who lost clothing, Christmas presents and other goods during a fire Monday. Donations can be made to the Dan and Julie McCants Fund at any Snohomish County PUD Credit Union branch.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Local News

Customers enter and exit the Costco on Dec. 2, 2022, in Lake Stevens. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Costco stores could be impacted by looming truck driver strike threat

Truck drivers who deliver groceries and produce to Costco warehouses… Continue reading

Two Washington State ferries pass along the route between Mukilteo and Clinton as scuba divers swim near the shore Sunday, Oct. 22, 2023, in Mukilteo, Washington. (Ryan Berry / The Herald)
Ferry system increases ridership by a half million in 2024

Edmonds-Kingston route remains second-busiest route in the system.

An American Robin picks a berry from a holly tree on Thursday, Feb. 13, 2025 in Edmonds, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Calling all birders for the annual Great Backyard Bird Count

The Audubon Society will hold its 28th annual Great Backyard… Continue reading

Robin Cain with 50 of her marathon medals hanging on a display board she made with her father on Thursday, Jan. 2, 2025 in Lake Stevens, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Running a marathon is hard. She ran one in every state.

Robin Cain, of Lake Stevens, is one of only a few thousand people to ever achieve the feat.

People line up to grab food at the Everett Recovery Cafe on Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Coffee, meals and compassion are free at the Everett Recovery Cafe

The free, membership-based day center offers free coffee and meals and more importantly, camaraderie and recovery support.

A view of one of the potential locations of the new Aquasox stadium on Monday, Feb. 26, 2024 in Everett, Washington. The site sits between Hewitt Avenue, Broadway, Pacific Avenue and the railroad. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Initial prep work for AquaSox stadium to start, with $200k price tag

The temporary agreement allows some surveying and design work as the city negotiates contracts with designers and builders.

The Everett Wastewater Treatment Plant along the Snohomish River on Thursday, June 16, 2022 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Everett water, sewer rates could jump 43% by 2028

The rate hikes would pay for improvements to the city’s sewer infrastructure.

The bond funded new track and field at Northshore Middle School on Thursday, Oct. 24, 2024 in Bothell, Washington. (Courtesy of Northshore School District)
Northshore School District bond improvements underway

The $425 million bond is funding new track and field complexes, playgrounds and phase one of two school replacements.

Aaron Kennedy / The Herald
The Joann Fabric and Crafts store at 7601 Evergreen Way, Everett, is one of three stores in Snohomish County that will close as part of the retailer’s larger plan to shutter more than half of its stores nationwide.
Joann store closure plan includes Everett, Arlington, Lynnwood locations

The retail giant filed a motion in court to close approximately 500 stores in the U.S.

Lynnwood
Lynnwood police: 1 suspect in custody, 1 at large after attempted carjacking

Beverly Elementary School went into a precautionary lockdown Thursday afternoon. Numerous officers continue to search for the second suspect.

Candidates announce campaigns for Everett city council seat

Ryan Crowther, founder of the Everett Music Initiative, will challenge incumbent Paula Rhyne for the District 2 seat.

Lynnwood City Council Vice President Julieta Crosby speaks during a Lynnwood City Council meeting on Wednesday, Nov. 20, 2024. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Lynnwood picks top eight candidates to replace former council VP

The City Council will make its final decision Feb. 20 after interview process.

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.